View a copy of the UK Biobank Access Procedures.

During 2006-2010, UK Biobank conducted its recruitment phase of more than 500,000 participants who gave their consent, answered questions, had physical measurements and gave samples (blood, urine and saliva) at a baseline assessment visit. Follow-up of their health is now being conducted through medical and other health-related records. Access systems have been developed to facilitate use of the UK Biobank Resource by bona fide researchers for health-related research that is in the public interest.

Common questions and answers

Who can use the UK Biobank Resource?

UK Biobank is an open access resource. The Resource will be open to bona fide scientists, undertaking health-related research that is in the public good. Approved scientists from the UK and overseas and from academia, government, charity and commercial companies can use the Resource.

How do scientists access the Resource?

There are 4 steps to using the UK Biobank Resource:

• Registration: To confirm the identity of each person intending to use the Resource and to check their bona fides before registering them as a potential user;
• Preliminary application: To allow researchers to determine: (i) whether their proposed research use is likely to be approved; (ii) whether the resource contains the data and/or samples required for their proposed research; and (iii) the indicative cost of obtaining such data and/or samples (e.g. in preparation for a funding application);
• Main application: To allow UK Biobank to assess: (i) whether the proposed research use meets the required criteria for access (including legal and ethics standards); (ii) whether the amount of depletable sample required is scientifically justified; and (iii) the cost of providing such data and/or samples;
• Material Transfer Agreement (MTA): For approved applications, the Material Transfer Agreement will need to be executed and access charges paid before release of data and/or samples to the Approved Researcher.

What is the cost?

The charge for making an application is £250, with any additional costs (such as those related to providing data or samples) to be charged on a cost-recovery basis and payable only on execution of the Material Transfer Agreement for successful applications. UK Biobank will keep this policy under review, including the possibility of having different levels of charge for different types of user.

How can the most be made out of using the Resource?

Using UK Biobank is an investment in it, since all results and analyses will be put back into UK Biobank for others to benefit from. UK Biobank encourages the formation of consortia or disease-specific user groups, particularly with regard to the use of samples which will deplete over time. Please contact UK Biobank Access Management Team if you have any ideas or suggestions.